Motivational Guide and Workbook for Recovering Healthcare Professionals
by Maria Elsa Rodriguez, DNP, ACNS-BC
New SMART Recovery® Motivational Guide and Workbook for Recovering Healthcare Professionals
This Workbook was developed to address the paradox of healthcare professionals who are in recovery yet have a lack of resources available designed to meet their specific needs.
The expectation in healthcare is that providers are immune to personal drug or alcohol problems. Intolerance among professionals contributes to denial. Until a drug or alcohol problem is obvious, the impaired professional is more likely than non-healthcare professionals to avoid seeking help.
To meet the needs of healthcare professionals, SMART Recovery® has announced a new publication, Motivational Guide and Workbook for Recovering Healthcare Professionals authored by Maria Elsa Rodriguez, DNP, ACNS-BC. Maria has worked as an acute care adult health nurse for 21 years and as a nurse educator for 8 years. She found it a paradox that healthcare professionals who are in recovery have a lack of resources available that are specifically focused to their needs. With this observation, she developed this new Workbook.
In 2008, 10 million persons aged 12 years or older reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs during the prior year. Among those millions who daily abuse drugs or alcohol, thousands are physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals whose use affects and threatens their lives, as well as the lives of others. The resulting drug or alcohol impairment can have devastating effects on their patients who trust healthcare providers to be focused and conscientious while caring for them. Healthcare professionals have a unique ability to respond to medical challenges and pressures on behalf of others. This Workbook helps apply that care and response by the healthcare professional to him or herself.
Chapter topics include: Motivation; The Prevalence of Addiction in Healthcare Providers (physicians, nurses, psychologists, pharmacists and dentists); Information About SMART Recovery; The Brain, Drugs, & Motivation; An Overview of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy; The Transtheoretical Model of Change; Self-Efficacy; Self-Esteem and Self-Worth; Locus of Control; Resilience; Coping Skills for Emotions &; Behaviors; and an Appendix reviewing The Background and History of Narcotic & Alcohol Use in the United States. A number of interactive activities are included throughout the Workbook.
The 80 page Workbook is authored by Maria Elsa Rodriguez, DNP, ACNS-BC, who has worked as an acute care adult health nurse for 21 years and as a nurse educator for 8 years.
The Workbook can be ordered via the SMART Recovery Online Bookstore.
Im a nurse who is an alcoholic and I find AA non beneficial. I found your program on line and am very interested. How do I get started
Hi Deb:
In addition to the publication described in this post, you might also be interested in exploring the SMART website http://www.smartrecovery.org
There you will find extensive information about SMART Recovery, meetings (online and face-to-face), online message board and chat support, recommended readings and a “toolbox” full of resources that you will find helpful for recovery if that is what you choose.
Every recovery is unique, SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training, and exactly how you proceed to explore and use what SMART offers is entirely up to you. In addition to exploring the publications, and personal support (online and face-to-face) many people find that posting to the message board in the Welcome Forum is a great way to get connected with SMART.
Glad you found us!
Another great post, thanks for the write up! Have a great day and cant wait to see future posts
Hi Gil:
So glad that you are finding the site to be helpful.
If you have not already signed up for the message board,
you will find a supportive (and anonymous) community there.
Online meetings to discuss and learn recovery tools are on the
schedule daily, 24/7 chat for social interaction or to help with
recovery are also available after signing in.
Additionally the message board offers a private forum for medical professionals.
Glad you found us!
I’m an RN in recovery. I’m having difficulty finding support groups for medical professionals. I’m dealing with trying to regain licensure as it was suspended 9 yrs ago. Any suggestions?
Stacy, I am also a nurse in recovery. I am hoping we can get a more prominent support system and some more education out there for us.
How is your situation now? I hope you were able to get regain your license.
I am in the exact situation. It’s been 5 years. I feel so alone. I need to tell my story but I don’t know where to turn. I honestly feel so alone in this journey. I would love to connect with anyone who has been down this road. Thank you so much! ❤️
Yes, this!!! It’s so hard to find nurses in the same boat even though all you ever hear about is the fact that addiction in nursing is so prevalent. I’m in the same boat and would love to meet others going through this. I’m almost two years post license revocation and can begin the process once my two years are up, but am honestly scared!
Some states have specialty support groups for nurses.
Caution: Some of the groups are mandated reporters to the Board of Registered Nurses.
Feel free to contact me:
Guy Lamunyon MSN, RN
[email protected]
I’m in recovery and I need to attend two meetings per week when I start working again.
Can you help me find two meetings per week, maybe on zoom?
Thanks
John
Hello John,
Yes, you can find the calendar of meetings at http://www.smartrecovery.org/community
Am a practitioner and interested in the program.
Hello Grace,
Thank you for your interest in SMART. Someone from the organization will reach out to you with more details.
I am terrified to reach out… I work in a small medical community and have never been in trouble.. I’m exhausted
Hello Tired APRN
We’re glad you did reach out. You can find the meeting list at http://www.smartrecovery.org/community
Hello,
I’m an RN that is looking to get into a group for Healthcare Professionals. Does one exist? If so, how would I sign up for it? TIA
Hello Nancy773,
Yes, there is a MMHP (Medical and Mental Health Professionals) meeting on SROL. It happens every other Monday and is a restricted meeting so an application and registration on SROL is required. To find this, go to http://www.smartrecovery.org/community
Hi, very useful and informative blog
Need a group and sponsor please. Located in San Francisco CA.
Hello Angelina,
Thank you for reaching out.
SMART does not use sponsors. We are a self-empowered recovery program.
To find a meeting in your area, go to https://www.smartrecoverytest.org/local/
Hi
I am very interested MMHP meetings. What time are the meetings every other Mondays?
I am a nurse in recovery from Dilaudid and alcohol and my license was just reinstated. I have been out of practice since 2005. I have to find a nursing job in order to complete my compliance order with the board but finding it very difficult to find an employer who will give me a 2nd chance. I have multiple restrictions on my license.
I’m new to SMART Recovery so thank you!
Hello Munsi,
The MMHP meetings have now become part of the Veterans & First Responder’s meetings. They are held Sundays at 6:00 pm and Tuesdays at 7:00pm ET. The meetings are password protected. You must be registered in SROL and have prior access to the Veterans & First Responder’s Forum. To register on SROL, go to: http://www.smartrecovery.org/community
Hi,
I’m a healthcare professional and struggling with alcohol use. I’m interested in attending anonymous meetings – if you could direct me to the right location, that would be amazing!
As well, I’m trying to buy a copy of the workbook but Canada is not listed as a shipping country, is there any other way for me to get a copy (preferably online).
Thanks!
Hello Kurama
Thank you for reaching out to SMART. You can find a meeting at http://www.smartrecovery.org/community
You can also find the Canada bookshop at https://smartrecoverycanada.org/ and the handbook at https://smartrecoverycanada.org/product/smart-recovery-handbook-3rd-edition/
Hi! It’s so hard for professionals who are in recovery. I am in recovery myself and am working with a man who is struggling to find help as he is a police officer. Any suggestions?
Hello Maxine,
Thank you for reaching out. We have meetings specifically for Veterans & First Responders. Your client can attend by registering at http://www.smartrecovery.org/community